The commute will be back — and for those who used that time to exercise, we understand your concerns. Here are some tips on making time for exercise while returning to your nine to five.

• Schedule in your workouts for the week. Look at your diary and see where you can fit them in, just as you would a coffee date with a friend. This way they become non-negotiable, as they’re just part of your busy week.
• Exercise before work. Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier than you would need to and get that run/walk/workout in before getting ready for work. You will feel amazing when it’s done and it will energise you for the day. Just 30 to 45 minutes are enough for an effective workout and once it’s done that’s one less thing to worry about for the day.
• Go for a walk or exercise during lunch break. Why not join that gym close to your office? You could use your lunchbreak to work out, and bring a packed lunch to eat at your desk.
• Exercise in the evening. If you’re not a morning person and too busy in the day for that workout, evenings are the time for you. Make sure to schedule them into your diary for those evenings and get them done.
• Have you got a bike? If so, why not cycle to work on a few days/every day? 
• If you enjoy working from home, see if your employer will let you continue doing so for a couple of days per week, or change your office hours. Ten to six instead of nine to five, maybe.

Getting your steps in

One of the perks of lockdown has been having that bit more time to walk. Walking has so many health and mental benefits, and we really don’t want you to miss out on these, especially as life is getting busier and more stressful again. 

• If you follow us, you will know that here at aceLIFESTYLE we advocate 10,000 steps per day, and we know that if you have a sedentary desk job, getting those steps in can be hard. Here are some ideas for getting those steps in, even on the busiest days:
• If you are commuting by public transport, get off a stop early and walk the extra distance. 
• Also walk up the escalators in the Tube or the railway station.
• Take the stairs inside your office building.
• Use a toilet on a different floor from the one where you work.
• When meeting with a colleague, see if they wouldn’t mind walking and talking.
• If you’re not working out at lunchtime, take a walk and eat lunch when you’re back at your desk.
• March on the spot when you’re doing daily chores.
• When your kids want to play in the garden with them, go and have a run around.
• Stick on some music and have a dance party! 

This will not only get your steps up but it will release those endorphins and make you feel fantastic, too.

• Take an evening walk with a friend or family member.
• Try to move more around the house as much as possible.

Going back to “normal” feels surreal and possibly overwhelming. Just as we’d found what worked best for us, things are changing again, but hopefully these tips will help you make as few changes as possible while adapting to yet another “normal”.

Anna Schuchman and Charlotte Wikler are co-owners of AceLifestyle. 
Their aceTRANSFORM 12-week programme ‘educates, supports and holds you accountable’. transform@ace-lifestyle.com